Internships

NREL offers many different internship opportunities to full-time undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to NREL-sponsored internships, the laboratory works with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science to provide the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship, Community College Internship, and Visiting Faculty Programs. Learn more about each program below and how to apply.

Benefits and Opportunities at a Glance

Full-time undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university who have successfully completed at least the sophomore year of school by June of the current year and plan to continue full-time enrollment during the following fall term are eligible for NREL's sponsored internships. Learn more

Benefits

Option to enroll in medical benefits (if working 30+ hours a week) and 403(b) Employee Savings Plan
Compensation — Competitive wages
Travel — To and from NREL (airfare or personal car mileage for more than 50 miles from NREL)

The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program at NREL provides paid research experience to encourage undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Selected students perform research, guided by NREL scientists, on projects that support the DOE mission. The SULI program is the DOE's Office of Science's premier undergraduate education and research program. Learn more

SULI Benefits

Stipend — $500 per week
Housing — $125 per week if permanent address is more than 50 miles from NREL
Travel — To and from NREL (airfare or personal car mileage for more than 50 miles from NREL)

The Community College Internship (CCI) program at NREL provides paid research experience to encourage community college students to enter technical careers relevant to the DOE mission. By providing technical training experiences at the DOE laboratories under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers, CCI offers community college students technical experience and opens doors to education at 4-year colleges and universities. Learn more on the DOE Office of Science website.

CCI Benefits

Stipend — $500 per week
Housing — $125 per week if permanent address is more than 50 miles from NREL
Travel — To and from NREL (airfare or personal car mileage for more than 50 miles from NREL)

The Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) seeks to increase the research competitiveness of faculty members and their students at institutions historically underrepresented in the research community in order to expand the workforce vital to the DOE mission areas. As part of the program, selected university/college faculty members collaborate with DOE laboratory research staff on a research project of mutual interest. Faculty member participants may invite up to two students (one of which may be a graduate student) to participate in hands-on research at NREL during the summer. Learn more on the DOE Office of Science website.

VFP Benefits

Stipend — $1,300 per week
Housing — $125 per week if permanent address is more than 50 miles from NREL
Travel — To and from NREL (airfare or personal car mileage for more than 50 miles from NREL)